Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to multiple major U.S. airports to assist with long security lines as a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to strain airport operations. Barricades and staffing shortages at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints have led to delays of several hours for travelers.
The move, authorized by the Trump administration, comes after TSA agents have gone unpaid for weeks due to the impasse in Congress over DHS funding. The shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, has left many TSA employees absent or resigning, forcing airport officials to seek additional personnel to manage passenger flows.
ICE officers — who are not normally involved in routine airport security — have been seen at at least 14 major airports, including Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston), Newark Liberty International Airport, and Louis Armstrong International Airport (New Orleans). Reports also suggest presence at other hubs such as Chicago‑O’Hare and Phoenix Sky Harbor, among others.
Officials say the ICE agents are helping with crowd management, queue control, and logistical support to free up TSA workers for core security duties — but they are not conducting primary passenger screenings, which require specialized TSA training. The visible presence of ICE officers has raised concerns among some travelers and immigrant rights advocates who fear potential immigration enforcement interactions at civilian travel hubs.
Despite the additional personnel, extensive wait times have persisted at several airports, especially during the busy spring travel season. Airport and union leaders continue urging Congress to resolve the funding stalemate to restore full TSA staffing and reduce disruptions.
